Zavateri, a Group 1 National Stakes winner, is poised to make his seasonal debut in the Group 3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury this Saturday. The three-year-old colt, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, currently heads the market as the 2/1 favourite.
This Group 3 contest, a seven-furlong race worth £100,000, serves as a key trial for the upcoming 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Zavateri's previous season saw him win four of his five starts, including victories in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket and the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, before his triumph in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh. His sole defeat came at the end of a busy campaign in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, where he finished a "not-disgraced fourth".
The trainer expresses confidence in Zavateri's readiness, noting his physical development. "He's put on weight, put on muscle and I'm really thrilled with him," one report states, with the horse now appearing "like a three-year-old and not a two-year-old". Despite the positive assessment of his progress and fitness, the trainer acknowledges Zavateri's work ethic might not be overtly spectacular. "It's never going to be spectacular," noted the trainer, while also admitting that finding a suitable stablemate to push him sufficiently in training has been a challenge.
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Eight runners are declared for the Greenham Stakes. Zavateri's presence signifies a strong start to the Flat season, with the race itself anticipated to be of high quality. This event is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Zavateri is currently listed at 25-1 for the 2,000 Guineas on May 2nd.
Zavateri's pedigree is from Without Parole, and his juvenile campaign included notable performances beyond his wins, such as his fourth-place finish in the Dewhurst Stakes. The horse reportedly "really hated Newmarket" previously, suggesting a return to a straight track at Newbury might be beneficial. Another contender, Albert Einstein, has already had a seasonal outing, finishing sixth in the Listed Gladness Stakes.
